Apparatuses, methods, and systems for providing down force for an agricultural implement

ABSTRACT

An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No.14/665,724, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/968,820, filed Mar.21, 2014, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to agricultural implements. Morespecifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to systems,methods, and apparatus for providing down force pressure at row units ofan agricultural planter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An agricultural row crop planter is a machine built for preciselydistributing seed into the ground. The row crop planter generallyincludes a horizontal toolbar fixed to a hitch assembly for towingbehind a tractor or other implement. Row units including seed meters aremounted to the toolbar. In different configurations, seed may be storedat individual hoppers on each row unit, or it may be maintained in acentral hopper and delivered to the row units on an as needed basis. Therow units include ground-working tools for opening and closing a seedfurrow, and a seed metering system for distributing seed to the seedfurrow.

In its most basic form, the seed meter includes a housing, a seed disc,and a seed chute. The housing is constructed such that it creates areservoir to hold a seed pool. The seed disc resides within the housingand rotates about a generally horizontal central axis. As the seed discrotates, it passes through the seed pool where it picks up individualseeds. The seeds are subsequently dispensed into the seed chute wherethey drop into the seed furrow.

As the agricultural planter row unit travels across fields with variablesoil types, soil moisture, residue levels and topography, it can bedifficult to maintain constant seed depth and other parameters due tochanging conditions which would ideally require varying the row unitdown force pressure. For example, farming with higher residue levelsalso requires higher row unit down force levels as row cleaners,coulters and other attachments require applied force to keep them in theground and at consistent depths.

At the same time, in many locations there are immovable rocks or otherobstructions at or below the soil surface which require the planter rowunit to be able to quickly and freely (without undue increase in the rowunit down force) rise up and over the obstruction freely and thenquickly move back down, leaving a minimum amount of the row unplanted.All this must be accomplished at continually increasing ground speeds.

Traditionally, springs have been used to urge row units downward. Airbag systems have also been used to overcome some of the drawbacks tomechanical spring systems. Air systems provide a more uniform down forcethrough the vertical range of travel, compared to springs, and aresomewhat easier to adjust than springs. However due to thecompressibility of air and the relatively large volumes required,changes in air pressure are very cumbersome and not adaptable to veryfast change and response to in-cab controls on the go. Air bag systemstypically have a very large cross-sectional area in relation to the hosefeeding the air spring with pressure, which can provide a largemultiplication of force and allow for relatively good isolation of onerow unit relative to another. However, air bag systems typically do notallow for rapid change of the force being applied, because of the largevolume of the air spring in relation to the cross section of the hosesupplying the air. Furthermore, as computers and GPS systems haveallowed crop production to be managed in a location-specific way as animplement moves through the field, it has become necessary to achievemore rapid changes in the setting or adjustment of the implement. In thecase of a planter row unit, it is also necessary to generate a largeamount of force. Each individual planter row unit must be able to reactto the soil it encounters independently of the other row units.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved apparatuses, systems,and/or methods for providing down force at the row units in a way thatprovides for a sufficient amount of down force for varying types of rowunits, while also providing a near instantaneous response to variationsin soil conditions, obstructions, and other changes in a field beingplanted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is a principle object, feature, and/or advantage of theinvention to overcome deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide an electric linear actuator to provide down force pressure atvarious locations of the row unit.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide a strut in place of a four bar linkage of a row unit.

It is yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto connect a seed meter to a toolbar via a solenoid.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide a row unit that is attached to a toolbar via a slider eitherbehind or underneath the toolbar.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide a moving actuator to the opening wheel of a row unit to reducethe amount of force needed for the wheel to penetrate the ground.

It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a monitoring and/or foresight system for use with a downforce pressure provider to view ahead of the row unit in order topreload the down force provided.

It is yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a rotating bit to open a furrow in the ground for a row unit.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The presentinvention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features andadvantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object,feature, or advantage.

The invention relates generally to agricultural implements, and moreparticularly to methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing downforce pressure or pressures at the row units of the agriculturalimplement. The down force pressure is utilized to maintain a pressuresuch that the row units are able to maintain a substantially similardepth when planting a material (seed) throughout a field. As the soiltypes, compositions, obstructions, and other factors affect the generalmakeup of fields, the down force and ability of a row unit to float orotherwise move in a substantially vertical direction will provide thatthe row unit maintains a substantially similar depth during the plantingprocess. The maintaining of depth of the planting process increases theyield of an eventual crop by placing the seed at a desired depth withinthe soil, which may be based upon known or determined test results.

Therefore, the invention includes numerous aspects which pertain to theproviding of down force at and to a row unit of an agriculturalimplement. As will be understood, the down force could be provided inmany different ways, and also at different locations of the row unit toprovide that the components of the row unit, e.g., the opener wheels,penetrate the ground to place a seed at a desired depth and to maintainthat desired depth throughout a field, regardless of changing soilcharacteristics or obstructions in the field. For example, according tosome aspects of the invention, a linear actuator is provided to providethe required down force to the row unit. The linear actuator can includea sensor or other foresight technology to provide information regardingan area of the field in front of the row unit, wherein the linearactuator is able to adjust the amount of down force prior to or at thelocation of a particular place in the field. This allows the row unit topreload or otherwise be ahead of a change in the composition of a fieldor of the presence of an obstruction in the field.

Still other aspects of the invention provide for different methods,apparatuses, and/or systems of attaching a row unit to a toolbar of anagricultural implement. These different ways of attaching the row unitto the toolbar can allow for different mechanisms to be utilized whichwill allow for a maintaining of down force on the row unit, whileallowing the row unit to float or otherwise move in a vertical directionupon interaction with an obstruction. In some instances, the directconnection between the row unit and the toolbar will alleviate some ofthe required down force, as the down force providing mechanism can beactuated in a more vertical manner, as opposed to having both verticaland horizontal components. In addition, some of the aspects remove orotherwise readjust the weight of a row unit such that less down force isrequired to move the components of the row unit.

In any of the embodiments, the location of a down force provider can bepositioned generally anywhere on the row unit. For example, andaccording to some aspects of the invention, it is contemplated that adown force provider or actuator be provided between the toolbar and therow unit.

In other aspects, the down force actuator can be provided at an openingand/or closing wheel of the row unit. And still other aspects, there maybe multiple actuators located at multiple positions including some ofsaid previously mentioned locations.

Still further, it is contemplated that the actuator be placed ahead ofthe toolbar such that the down force is determined ahead of the actuallocation of a furrow creating mechanism, such as an opening wheel orother mechanism.

According to some aspects of the invention, the introduction of aforesight technology may be included. The foresight technology can betechnology that is used to view or otherwise sense an area ahead of anopening or furrow creating mechanism, row units, and/or gauge wheels ofan agricultural implement. The foresight technology can determine thedistance from a toolbar of the implement to the ground, which can aid indetermining a system which provides for data at a set distance ahead ofthe opening mechanism. This foresight technology could be utilized toset a determined down force or alleviate a down force based uponinformation gained from said foresight technology. For example, if anobstruction is determined to be in a path of one or more row units, theinformation could be relayed to the row unit such that the row unit isable to float, move, or otherwise be displaced while mitigating damageto the row unit due to the obstruction. Immediately after theobstruction, the down force could be reactivated to provide that the rowunit begins to create a furrow or other opening in the field at apredetermined depth. In addition, the foresight technology could also beutilized to determine a change in composition, such as the hardness orsoftness of soil, to adjust or preprogram the amounts of down force thatwill be required to place the seed at a predetermined and desired depthwithin said soil.

It is contemplated that in any of the embodiments, aspects, or otherwiseversions of the down force providing mechanisms of the invention,numerous types of actuators or other mechanisms could be used. Forexample, linear actuators, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators,mechanical actuators, active orientation systems, or other mechanismsmay all be utilized to provide a down force and/or floating aspect tothe row unit to provide that the row unit accomplishes its task. As willbe understood, any of the variations could be utilized with any of theembodiments, and a combination of the variations could also be utilizedat the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural planter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a row unit for use with an agriculturalplanter.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a row unit for use with an agriculturalplanter including additional aspects.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a row unit for use with an agriculturalplanter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a block diagram showing components of therow unit of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a block diagram showing components of therow unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rotating drill bit for use with a rowunit according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the rotating drill.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the rotating drill bit.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view according to the lines A-A of FIG. 23.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figuresrepresented herein are not limitations to the various embodimentsaccording to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustrationof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an agricultural implement 10, in this case, an agriculturalplanter. The planter 10 is usually attached to and pulled by a tractor.However, it should be appreciated that other equipment and/or vehiclesmay move the implement 10. For purposes of the present disclosure, theimplement 10 will be referred to as a planter.

The planter 10 includes a tongue 14 having a first end 16 and anopposite second end (not shown). The tongue 14 includes a hitch 18 atthe first end 16, with the hitch 18 being connected to the tractor. Atthe opposite end of the tongue 14 is a central toolbar 22. The tongue 14may be a telescoping tongue with components capable of being insertedinto one another such that the implement 10 is a front folding styleimplement. However, the present invention is not to be limited to suchfront folding style implements and is to include any such implement foruse in the agricultural industry.

As shown in FIG. 1, central hoppers 24 are positioned at the centraltoolbar 22. The hoppers 24 are configured to store seed, fertilizer,insecticide, or other types of material for use in farming. The hoppers24 may both contain the same material, or could contain separatematerials. The use of the central hoppers 24 allows for a large amountof material to be added and stored at a centralized location. However,the invention also contemplates the use of one or more hopperspositioned at each of the row units 34 for providing seed to be plantedat the row units, as is shown in FIG. 3. When central hoppers 24 areused at the central toolbar 22, it should be appreciated that thecentral hoppers will be in fluid communication with each of the rowunits 34. This can be done by use of separate hoses to each of the rowunits, or fewer hoses that include splitters, wherein the hose is splitto provide seed or other material to more than one row unit. Alsoconnected to the central toolbar is a plurality of central wheels, whichmay be known as transport wheels 26 extending generally downwardly fromthe central toolbar 22. The wheels 26 contact the ground and support thecentral hoppers 24. The wheels stabilize the implement 10 and are thewheels that contact the ground when in a working position or a transportposition, e.g., if the implement 10 is a front folding implement suchthat the wings 28, 30 are folded forward with wing wheels 32 notcontacting the ground.

Extending generally from both sides of the toolbar 22 are first andsecond wings 28, 30. The wings 28, 30 are generally identical and mirrorimages of one another. Therefore, only one wing will be described withthe understanding that the other wing will be generally the sameconfiguration. The first wing 28 includes a bar 29. Mounted to the bar29 are a plurality of row units 34, as well as a plurality of wheels 32.The wheels 32 are configured to contact the ground. The row units 34 maybe seeders, fertilizers, insecticide sprayers, or other dispensers,discs, or plows. The wings 28, 30 may also include at least one foldcylinder and a down force cylinder. It is further contemplated thatmultiple down force cylinders be used with an implement having moresections. The fold cylinder(s) is configured to fold the wings to aposition wherein the first and second wings 28, 30 are generallyadjacent the tongue 14 of the implement 10.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of a row unit 40 including aspects of theinvention which utilize a linear actuator 49 for providing down force atthe row unit 40. The row unit 40 can be one of a plurality of row unitsthat can be positioned for use with a planter 10, such as that shown inFIG. 1. The row unit 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a mount 41 forattaching to a toolbar (not shown) of an agricultural implement, such asthe agricultural planter 10 of FIG. 1. A linkage 42 extends generallybetween the mount 41 and the frame 45 of the row unit 40 to connect therow unit 40 to the toolbar. The linkage 42 is shown to be a four barlinkage including substantially parallel upper bars 43 and lower bars44.

The frame 45 is therefore able to rotate and/or move in a generallyvertical direction relative to the toolbar based upon the allowedmovement of the linkage 42. Operatively attached to the frame 45 areopening wheels 46, gauge wheels 47, and a depth adjustment mechanism 48.Closing wheels (not shown) would also be included with many versions ofthe row unit 40. The opening wheels 46 create a furrow, trench, or otheropening in the ground in which seed is deposited from a seed meter. Thegauge wheels 47 and depth mechanism 48 work to set a depth of theopening created by the opening wheels 46 and are utilized to try tomaintain said depth throughout the field. However, due to changingconditions of the field, and/or the presence of obstructions as theimplement moves through the field, the gauge wheels may have made toomuch depth, not enough depth, or may encounter obstructions, which causethe row unit 40 to bounce in a substantially vertical direction. In sucha situation, the row unit 40 may not go back to its original depth.Therefore, a down force providing mechanism, which is shown to be alinear actuator 49 in FIGS. 2 and 3, is provided. The linear actuator 49can be an electric linear actuator, which can be used in place of apneumatic down pressure bag, which is currently used in the agriculturalindustry. The linear actuator 49 provides down force for the row unit40.

Power for the electric linear actuator 49 could be provided from thetractor or an electric power source mounted or otherwise connected tothe agricultural planting implement. The linear actuator 49 could be setto be moved fast enough to maintain depth of the opening wheels 46,while allowing for give due to obstructions or other changes in thefield. For example, the pressure could be maintained by the linearactuator 49, but could be alleviated upon a substantial upward force onthe row unit 40. With such a situation, an actuator or rod of the linearactuator 49 can be allowed to retract within the housing of the linearactuator 49. However, the linear actuator 49 could be set to providethat as soon as the substantially upward forces pass, the rod can bere-extended to force the row unit via the linkages 42 to the desireddepth, thus providing a substantial and desired down force pressure tothe row unit 40.

The electric linear actuators 49 could be of the screw type, magneticsolenoids, electro-fluid (wherein the viscosity is changed upon avoltage change), and/or damping systems. Such systems will provide for adown force pressure, while allowing a rod or other extension member tobe moved in and out at least partially within the housing of the linearactuator 49. Furthermore, the linear actuator 49 could be a solid stateactuator, which comprises a memory metal. In such a situation, amagnetic force, heat, or other source (such as a compressible gas orother fluid) can be utilized to change the size of the cylinder as isneeded throughout the movement of the row unit 40 and agriculturalimplement through the field.

Furthermore, sensors could be placed at the gauge wheels 47 to measurethe pressure of the gauge wheels as they move through the field. This isknown as the gauge wheels “walking”. The walking of the gauge wheelswill provide a measurement that can be utilized by the linear actuator49 to provide a sufficient amount of down force pressure to the row unit40 based upon said walking. Therefore, the linear actuator 49 caninclude fast actuators to consistently actuate based upon the changingmeasurements received by the linear actuator 49. It is to be appreciatedthat additional aspects are also contemplated by the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of a row unit 50 showing additional aspects ofthe invention. The row unit 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 include many ofthe elements of the row unit 40. For example, the row unit 50 includes amount 51, linkage 52 including substantially parallel upper bars 53 andlower bars 54, and a frame 55. Furthermore, the row unit 50 includesopening wheels 56 to create a furrow or trench in a field, gauge wheels57 for aiding and maintain the depth of the opening wheels 56, and adepth mechanism 58 for adjusting the depth of the opening wheels 56 inthe field via the gauge wheels 57. The row unit 50 would also likelyinclude closing wheels to close a trench created by the opening wheels.The row unit 50 also includes an electric linear actuator 59 forproviding down force pressure of the row unit 50. However, the row unit50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes a spring 61 for use with theelectric linear actuator 59. The spring 61 and linear actuator 59 worktogether to provide a down force pressure of the row unit 50.

In the row unit 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electric linear actuator59 is operatively connected between the mount 51 and a sliding mechanism60. The slide or sliding mechanism 60 is any mechanism capable of movingrelative to the upper and/or lower bars 53, 54 of the linkage 52. Asshown in the figures, the slide is positioned to move relative the upperbars 53 of the linkage 52. The slide moves based upon the actuation ofthe electric linear actuator 59, such as by the extension and retractionof the rod in and out of the housing of the linear actuator 59.Furthermore, the spring 61, which may actually include first and secondsprings attached between opposite ends of the slide 60 and oppositelower bars 54, can be compressed or decompressed based upon the movementof the linear actuator 59 and slide 60, in which case the spring canprovide or reduce down force pressure for the row unit.

For example, the actuator 59 is positioned to be extended and retractedin a generally horizontal or substantially a horizontal direction. Thismoves the slide 60 about or parallel to the upper bars 53 of the linkage52. In the particular embodiment shown, the slides “ride” on the upperlinkage bars, but it is to be appreciated that the slide could otherwisemove in relation to the row unit 50. When the slide moves in a rearwarddirection, i.e., towards the frame 55 of the row unit 50, the load onthe spring or springs 61 is lessened, which provides less of a downforce pressure on the row unit 50. However, when the linear actuator rodis retracted, and the slide 60 moved towards the mount 51, the spring 61can be loaded, such that it provides a greater downward force on thelinkage 52, which provides a greater down force pressure on the row unit50. However, it should be noted that the springs and actuator can be setsuch that the opposite movement can load or lessen the force provided onthe row unit 50. In addition, it should be appreciated that the linearactuator 59 can be reversed such that it extends between the frame andthe slide 60, instead of between the mount 51 and the slide 60. Theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are for exemplary purposes only,and the combination of a linear actuator and a mechanical actuator, suchas a spring or plurality of springs, can be configured in any manner toprovide down force pressure to the row unit 50, while also providing amechanism that allows the row unit to float or otherwise move in avertical direction upon interaction with an obstruction.

For example, while the spring 61 provides down force pressure for therow unit 50, the spring can also be compressed, such as when the rowunit hits an obstruction and the components are thrust in a verticalmanner. The spring is a substantially non-rigid member that will allowfor some float of the row unit, while also providing that the down forcepressure will be re-exerted once the obstruction is passed.

Similar to the row unit 40, the components of the row unit 50 providedown force pressure for the row unit 50 such that the depth of thefurrow or trench is maintained to provide the depositing of seeds in thedepth of a predetermined range, which may be desired for planting aparticular type of seed. Therefore, the linear actuator can be generallyany sort of electric linear actuator, such as a screw type, magneticsolenoid, electro-fluid, damping system, and/or solid state actuator. Inaddition, the spring or springs 61 can be generally any spring orsprings which are capable of providing and lessening a downward force ona row unit. The choice in size of spring can be determined based uponthe particular weight of a row unit. Furthermore, the combination of thelinear actuator 59 and springs 61 can work with sensors on the gaugewheels or other portions of the row unit 50 in order to provide andmaintain a down force pressure on the row unit to maintain the depth ofthe trench, regardless of changing field conditions, and/or obstructionsin the path of the agricultural implement and/or row units.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show additional aspects of the row unit 40 incorporating alinear actuator 49 to provide down force pressure for the row unit 40.While the additional aspects will be directed towards the row unit 40,it should be appreciated that the same or similar components as will bementioned can be utilized with the row unit 50 of FIGS. 4 and 5 as well.In addition to the linear actuator 49 of the row unit 40, the embodimentshown in FIGS. 6 and 7 include one or more sensors 62 operably connectedto the row unit 40. As shown in the figures, the sensor 62 isoperatively connected to the linkage 42, the mount 41, or some otherportion of the row unit 40. It is also to be contemplated that thesensor could be placed on or at a toolbar (not shown), to which the rowunit 40 is attached. The sensor 62 provides a monitoring system formonitoring the ground in front of or adjacent the row unit 40 to “read”the ground to prepare depth of the units ahead of time. Thus, the sensormay be any sort of sensor, including but not limited to a soilcharacteristic sensor, visual sensor, temperature sensor, distance orother vision sensor, or generally any other sort of sensor which iscapable of determining a change in a ground condition in front of oradjacent the row unit. The sensor 62 provides a viewing area 63, whichis positioned to “view” a known distance between the viewing area 63 andthe opening wheel 46.

The sensor 62 can be operated along with the down force providingmechanism, e.g., the linear actuator alone or the linear actuator inspring combination, to pre-adjust or otherwise prepare the down forcepressure of the row unit based upon real time or historical dataacquired by or stored in the sensor 62. For example, when the sensor 62determines a change in the soil composition within the viewing area 63,the sensor can interact via an intelligent control or control unit toactuate the linear actuator 49 accordingly. For example, if the sensor62 determines a softening of the ground ahead of the opening wheel 46,at a known and/or predetermined distance, the sensor can work with thesystem to actuate the linear actuator 49 to lessen the down pressureforce of the row unit. As the ground will be softer, less down force isneeded to penetrate the ground at the predetermined depth. However, ifthe ground is determined to be harder at the known distance, the linearactuator 49 can be activated to provide more down force pressure topenetrate the ground with a harder force to obtain a trench of aselected depth. In addition, if the sensor 62 were to determine anobstruction, such as a rock, dirt clod, field trash, or the like, theactuator can be alerted to temporarily disable any down force pressure.Such disabling of the linear actuator will allow the row unit totemporarily float and/or move in an upward direction. Upon passing ofthe obstruction, the linear actuator 49 can be activated to provide thedesired down force pressure to be able to create the trench and/orfurrow in the ground. At the same time, the down force can be maintainedeven during the float of the row unit, such that the row unit willrevert to its original position after passing the obstruction.

Thus, the use of a sensor 62 with either of the row units 40, 50 willprovide many benefits and/or advantages, such as a preloading or settingfor the down force providing mechanism. Such use of a sensor can aid inmitigating the amount of damage based upon the rigidity of a row unitupon interaction with an obstruction. Furthermore, the knowledge of achange in soil condition prior to a trench opening device reaching saidchange in the soil condition, and thus the change in the amount of downforce pressure that can or should be provided, can aid in maintaining adesired furrow depth for placing the seed within an acceptable depthrange for planting. For example, the sensors could test the groundconditions and relay them to the down force provider and/or could usehistorical data from a system or other implement to pre-plot or map thefield with soil conditions and use to adjust the down force provider.The sensor could be a memory database and/or communicator. When thesensor is a database, the sensor can obtain and store informationrelated to the soil conditions of a field. For example, a field mayinclude a section of soil that may be notoriously dry in certain areas,which would necessitate a higher down force pressure. This could bestored in the sensor, such that in the following year, the sensor willrelay this information to the down force provider to automaticallyprovide the additional down force at said location. Furthermore, theinvention contemplates that another vehicle travels ahead of theagricultural planter to determine and plot soil characteristicsthroughout a field. This lead apparatus could then relay the informationwirelessly and/or wired to the sensor 62. For example, the two or morevehicles could be in a field at the same time, such that the planterconsistently receives information in real time about the rest of afield. In contrast, a farmer could “scout” a field with sensors, storethe information, and then later upload the information into the systemcontrolling the down force providing members of the planter for useduring the planting. The information could then be used to adjust theamount of down force pressure provided by the down force pressureprovider at the specific locations as the implement moves through thefield. Thus, the system could be an open loop (real time informationused to continuously update) or closed loop (farmer sets a particulardepth and this is maintained regardless of the information received).Still other benefits obvious to those skilled in the art are to beconsidered part of the invention.

Additional aspects of the invention include a different configurationfor the actuator 49 for providing the down force pressure for the rowunit 40. It is contemplated that a linear actuator could be used over acompressed gas. The gas would work as a damper to absorb shock loads ofthe row unit and acted on the linear actuator 49. This could help toreduce field noise by utilizing the compressed gas to allow the rod ofthe linear actuator to be moved upon a shock load, while moving the rodback to the preferred position after the load has passed. This will aidin maintaining an amount of down force acting on the row unit as theimplement moves through the field, and also accounts for someobstructions or changes in the field.

FIGS. 8-11 are additional embodiments of row units that provideadditional ways of providing a down force pressure for the said rowunits. For example, FIG. 8 is a row unit 65 in which the row unit isattached to the toolbar 66 without the use of a four bar linkage.Instead, the row unit 65 is directly or otherwise operatively attachedto the toolbar 66 via a connector 74 with the use of a strut 73.Additional aspects of the row unit 65 include a hopper 67, seed meter68, opening wheel 69, gauge wheel 70, closing wheel 71 and trash wheel72, which may also be known as a leader wheel. The row unit 65 may alsoinclude a frame 77 for aiding and attaching the components to oneanother.

As mentioned, the row unit 65 includes a strut 73 that attaches the rowunit 65 to the toolbar 66. The strut 73 may be a down force providingmechanism that is actuated by air, hydraulic fluid, mechanical pressure(spring), compressible fluid, or some combination thereof to provide theneeded down force and vertical travel of the row unit. For example, asshown in FIG. 8, the strut 73 is an actuator including a housing 75 andan actuator rod 76 extending and retracting relative the housing 75.Certain components of the row unit 65 will maintain a substantiallyrigid configuration, while other components will be fluid. The housing75 of the strut 73 is connected to the toolbar 66 via the connector 74.Furthermore, the hopper 67 and seed meter 68 are operably connected tothe strut housing 75. These components will be substantially rigid andwill not move or need to be moved in a vertical direction, and may bereferred to as fluid components. However, according to some aspects ofthe invention, other combinations of the components can be substantiallyrigid, movable, or somewhere in between. For example, components such asthe hopper, seed meter and closing wheels could be rigidly mounted tothe toolbar or moving with the opener disks or in any combination.

The frame 77 and components attached thereto, which include, but are notlimited to, the opening wheel 69, gauge wheel 70, and trash wheel 72,may be attached to the actuator rod 76 of the strut 73, and may be knownas fluid components. Therefore, in such configurations, movement of theactuator 76 relative to the housing 75 of the strut 73 will also causemovement of those components. Therefore, the strut 73 can provide a downforce pressure via the actuator 76 to the trash wheel 72, opening wheel69, and gauge wheel 70, which are the components that most need to bemaintained with a desired amount of down force pressure during transportof the row unit 65. In addition, the strut 73 would allow these fluidcomponents to move in a vertical direction upon interaction with anobstruction, which would provide a floating type movement for thesystem. The frame 77 could also be attached to a slide or other guidemember, which can aid in controlling the movement of the fluidcomponents such that they will move in a substantially verticaldirection, while not rotating about the strut 73. It should be againnoted that, while certain components have been designated as beingrigidly and/or fluidly connected, any of the components or anycombination of the components could be connected in either manner (i.e.,rigidly or fluidly).

Advantages to such a system will provide a situation in which the seedreleased from the seed meter 68 does not pass through a tube which willmove very much. Thus, this will reduce the bounce of the seeds as theytravel towards the trench, which will increase meter efficiency and willincrease the efficiency of the desired spacing between the seeds. Insuch a situation, the substantially rigid components of the row units 65will not be influenced by changing soil types, obstructions, or otherthings in a field, as they will be maintained as though nothing ischanging. For example, while the fluid components will “bounce” or“float”, the rigid components will act as if there were no verticalchange. The fluid components connected to the strut mechanism 73 will bethe moving components which move in a substantially vertical directionup and down, while the substantially rigid components can be maintainedin a relatively constant manner.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a row unit 80 showing additional aspects of theinvention. The row unit 80 includes a portion of a toolbar 81 of anagricultural implement. The row unit 80 is attached to the toolbar 81via a connector 85, which is positioned between the toolbar 81 and astrut 84. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the seed meter 82 of therow unit 80 is connected either directly to the toolbar 81 or isotherwise remote from the rest of the components of the row unit 80. Theseed meter 82 also includes a seed tube 83 extending therefrom forpassing the seed from the seed meter 82 and adjacent the opening trenchin the ground. The strut 84 is connected to the connector 85 andincludes a housing 86, which is connected to said connector 85. Thestrut 84 also includes an actuator rod 87 moveable relative to thehousing 86, as the actuator 87 can be extended from or retracted withsaid housing 86. A distal end of the actuator 87 is connected to a frame88 of the row unit 80. Operatively connected to the frame 88 are theopening wheels 89 and the gauge wheels 90. As shown in FIG. 9, theclosing wheels 91 are operatively connected to the seed tube 83, andthus are part of the rigid components. As can be understood, theconfiguration shown in FIG. 9 provides that the seed meter 82, seed tube83, and closing wheels 91 are attached to the toolbar 81 such that theyare substantially rigid with regard to the movement of the components.In other words, the components will not substantially move upon externalforces acting thereon.

The frame 88 of the row unit 80 is also operatively connected to a slidemember 92 for guiding the frame 88 and attached components thereto asthey float. The strut 84 is configured to provide a down force pressurefor the fluid components of the row unit 80, which comprise the frame88, opening wheels 89, and gauge wheels 90. Thus, the fluid componentsof the row unit 80 are able to move relative to the rigid components ofthe row unit 80. The actuator portion 87 of the strut 84 can provide adown force pressure to the fluid components of the row unit 80 to aid inmaintaining a depth of trench or furrow created by the opening wheels89. The gauge wheels 90 can aid in setting the desired depth thereof. Anadvantage of such a situation is that there is less weight in the rigidcomponents that need the down force pressure, and thus, less down forcepressure is required. This would allow for a lighter load down forceproviding mechanism (e.g., electrical linear actuator) to be used.

The strut 84, which can actuated by air, hydraulic fluid, mechanicalactuation (spring), compressible fluid, or some combination thereof,provides for both the down force pressure and the floating capabilitiesof the row unit 80. In other words, the fluid components of the row unit80 are able slide or otherwise move relative to the toolbar 81 as theactuator moves the fluid components along the slide based upon a sensedor otherwise determined distance between a sensor of the row unit 80 andthe field. As a sensor determines that additional down force isrequired, the actuator member 87 of the strut 84 will extend to providemore force thereon. However, if an obstruction or other item is in theway of the row unit 80, the strut 84 will react to allow the actuator 87to retract at least partially within the housing 86 of the strut 84, atleast temporarily. The strut 84 can then reposition the components atthe ground with the required down force. The movement of the actuator 87in either a downward or upward direction will cause the frame 88 andcomponents attached thereto to move substantially in tandem. Suchmovement can be facilitated by the frame being positioned adjacent theslide member 92. The slide can be positioned on opposite sides thereofto aid in the movement of the frame 88 and fluid components of the rowunit 80, while also providing some stability such that the componentswill not rotate, and will instead move in a generally verticaldirection.

Other components that may be included with the row unit 80 of FIG. 9 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a sensor or other foresight technology,a database member, or other communicator. Such components may provideeither real time or stored data for the row unit to alert the strut 84of upcoming conditions such that the strut can adjust the down forcepressure and/or floating of the fluid components accordingly. It shouldbe acknowledged that, as there are fewer fluid components in the rowunit 80 of FIG. 9, there will be less force required by the strut tomove the fluid components in either direction.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a row unit 80 including additionalaspects of the invention. The row unit 80 of FIG. 10 is similar to thatof the row unit shown in FIG. 9. However, the orientation of the rowunit 80 of FIG. 10 has been reconfigured such that the row unit ispositioned on the front side of the toolbar 81. The seed meter 82 of therow unit 80 is positioned generally ahead of the toolbar 81 and includesa seed tube 83 extending rearwardly to allow seed to be directedrearward of the opening wheels 89 and gauge wheels 90 to place the seedin the trench at said location. In addition, the seed meter 82, seedtube 83, and closing wheels 91 may be connected directly to the toolbar81, such that they are substantially rigid members or components or theymay be attached to the frame 88 of the row unit 80 to become part of thefluid components of the row unit 80. In either situation, a strutmechanism 84 comprising a housing 86 and an actuator rod 87 housed atleast partially therein and capable of extending from or retractingwithin is connected to the toolbar 81 via a connector 85. The actuator87 is also connected to a frame 88, which may be riding on a slidemember 92 of the row unit 80. Also connected to the frame 88 areopenings wheels 89 and gauge wheels 90. The row unit 80 of FIG. 10 workssubstantially similar to that of the row unit in FIG. 9 in that theactuator 87 extends or withdraws relative to the housing 86 of the strut84 in order to adjust the down force pressure of the fluid components ofthe row unit 80.

However, as most of the components of the row unit 80 are positionedahead of the toolbar 81, the amount of down force pressure and theability to detect down force, such as with foresight technology, may beconfigured differently than that of previous embodiments. In addition,the positioning of the components of the row unit 80 in FIG. 10 mayallow different amounts of down force pressure to be utilized by thestrut 84, as the components will not be behind said row unit, but willbe able to use leverage based upon their location in front of thetoolbar 81.

Other aspects similar to the row unit 80, including types of strut, andtypes of sensors, databases, communicators, and other foresighttechnology are to be included and considered part of the configurationshown and described with regard to FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another configuration of a row unit65, which removes the need for gauge wheels for use with the row unit 65to aid in maintaining the depth of the opening wheel 69. Theconfiguration shown in FIG. 11 removes said gauge wheels and otherwiseremains or keeps many of the components of the row unit 65 as that shownin FIG. 8. However, instead of maintaining control of the strut 73 withthe use of the gauge wheel and any sensor attached thereto, a visionsensor, distance sensor, or other type of sensor is utilized todetermine the depth created by the opener wheel 69. Such a sensor may bepositioned at the axle of the opening wheels, or directly behind thewheels, positioned ahead of or oriented behind, or in any otherconfiguration in which the sensor is able to determine a depth of furrowor trench created by the opener wheels 69. The data collected by saidsensor can then be communicated to the strut 73 in order to adjust saidthe down force pressure provided by said strut 73. For example, it maybe determined that the actuator 76 of the strut 73 may be extended toprovide a more down pressure for the opener wheel 69 to create a deepertrench. In addition, when the soil characteristics change and a too deepof trench is created, the sensor can communicate the same to the strut73 to retract or otherwise adjust the strut to reduce the amount of downforce pressure provided by the strut 73, which can reduce the depth ofthe trench created by the opener wheel 69.

Furthermore, the trash wheel 72 may include sensors or other datacollecting devices on or adjacent said trash wheel 72 in order to obtaininformation which can be directed or communicated to the strut 73 toadjust the down force, as needed. For example, as the trash wheel 72 ispositioned generally ahead of the opener wheel 69 with regard to thedirection of travel of the implement and row unit 65, the trash wheel 72will experience the ground characteristics and any obstructions thereonof the field. Data, such as soil characteristics, obstructions,elevation change such as holes, or other conditions which may affect theability of the row unit to create and maintain a trench of apredetermined and desired depth may be collected by the trash wheel 72as it passes. This information can then be communicated wireless or in awire manner to the strut 73 in order to adjust the down force andfloatability of the strut before or when the opener wheel 69 gets to thelocation of a change in soil condition or location of an obstruction.Therefore, the row unit 65 can be an open loop system in which the datais continuously collected and the amount of down force is continuouslyupdated per the conditions of a field being planted. However, it shouldalso be appreciated that the system can be a closed loop system in whicha desired amount of down force pressure is provided, and the strut 73 isautomatically adjusted to maintain said amount of down pressure basedupon a farmer's input.

As noted, in any of the configurations shown in FIGS. 8-11, anycombination of the components could be rigidly or fluidly connected tothe toolbar and/or each other, and the specific configurations notedshould not be limiting on the configurations. For example, while theseed meter has been described as a component rigidly connected to thetoolbar, in some configurations, it will be operatively connected to oneor more of the fluidly connected components, wherein it is able to movewith the actuating device. In some instances, for example, all of thecomponents or none of the components can be fluidly connected to thetoolbar such that they are able to be manipulated by the actuatingdevice or allowed to float. In other configurations, only some of thecomponents are fluidly connected, while others are rigidly connected.The invention should be understood to include any and all suchcombinations.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a row unit 95 connected to a toolbar 96without the use of a four bar linkage and including a foresighttechnology in the form of a ground sensor 101 positioned on the frontside of the toolbar 96. The row unit 95 shown in FIG. 12 includes alinear slide connected to the toolbar 96 and also connected to a linearactuator 98, which is connected to the row unit 95. The linear slideincludes a mechanism that can be attached to the toolbar, while alsoincluding at least a component that is moveable relative to a rigidportion of the said slide 97. Thus, the rigid portion may be a housingof the linear actuator 98, wherein the actuator rod component of theactuator is connected to the rest of the components of the row unit 95,includes the opening wheels 99 and the closing wheels 100.

The sensor can be a foresight technology, which is used to view ahead ofthe opening wheels and other components of the row unit. It can bepositioned on a follower wheel of a fertilizer opener, a leader wheelahead of a culture wheel or gauge wheel, or even positioned on a sensorwhen no leader or other wheel is used with a row unit. The sensor caneliminate gauge wheels by determining a distance from the ground of eachunit, i.e., the distance between the ground and the toolbar ahead of theopener wheel. The known distance can be included in any system, basedupon speed of travel, to calculate the time between the sensed conditionand the opening mechanism reaching said sensed condition location.Examples of types of sensors which can be utilized include, but are notlimited to, laser, radar, temperature, moisture content, distance, soiltype, nutrients, compaction, and the like. Other sensors are intended tobe included, such as vision sensors and laser distance sensors.Furthermore, the sensor may be a GPS or other mapping member, in which afield can be mapped ahead of time such that the ground conditions andlocation of obstructions may be known prior to the planting with the rowunit 95. When such a sensor is utilized, the map of the data base in thesaid sensor will determine its location and will utilize known orhistorical data related to the soil content or compaction of said soilto adjust the down force pressure of the row unit accordingly.

For example, when the foresight technology of the ground sensor 101determines that a change in the height of one or more row units shouldbe made, it can communicate to the linear actuator 98 of said row unit95. The actuator, which is connected to the linear slide 97, can extend,retract, make rigid, or make more fluid the interior of said linearactuator 98 in order to provide for a change of height of the rowunit(s). For example, when the actuator is made more fluid, this willallow for the row unit 95 to have more flow with regards to the toolbar96. Making it rigid will provide so that there is little to no movementof the row unit 95. In addition, a movement of the linear actuator willadjust the height of the row unit provided by the actuator to the rowunit 95. It should also be appreciated that, while a linear actuator 98is shown and described with regard to the row unit 95 of FIG. 12, othertypes of actuators, included but not limited to, hydraulic, pneumatic,and the like may be included or used alone or in combination with oneanother.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a block diagram showing components of thedown force pressure system of the row unit 95 of FIG. 12. As shown inthe schematic of FIG. 13, the system 102 includes the ground sensor 101,which has shown to be positioned on the front side of the toolbar 96.The sensor 101 is connected to a row control unit 104, which is thecontrol unit or the dedicated row unit of the implement. This rowcontrol unit 104 is also connected to the linear actuator 98. The rowcontrol unit 104 is also connected to a master controller 103, which mayalso be known as an intelligent control for the entire agriculturalimplement. Thus, as shown by the box 105, each row unit, which isdesignated by row “n+1”, of the implement is connected to the mastercontroller 103 for the implement. Furthermore, a display 106 isconnected to the master controller 103. The display 106 may be a displayin a cab of a tractor pulling said implement, or may be a wirelessdisplay such as a tablet, phone, computer, or other computing device, inwhich a person is able to view the data related to the down forcepressure for an individual row unit or all of the row units of aparticular implement.

In operation, the ground sensor 101 determines the configuration of thefield, or the location and field configuration based on historical data.This includes the level of the ground in front of the tool bar. Thisinformation is sent to the row control unit 104. The master controller,which may receive an input from the display or other user interface,selects and sets a desired down force pressure and/or trench depth for aplanter. The row control unit uses the information from the sensor alongwith the preset information coming from the master controller 103 todetermine if a change of the linear actuator 98 is needed. For example,the ground sensor will determine the distance between the sensor and theground in front of the tool bar and then just adjust the height. Thus,the row control unit 104 can send an instruction to the linear actuator98 to adjust the depth of the row unit and the height of one or more rowunits in order to account for said change in the elevation and/orlandscape of the field. The system 102, which can be an open loop systemor a closed loop system, can be continually updated at each of the rowunits to maintain or change itself to provide desired row unit height tomaintain a trench or furrow within an allotted range in order to depositseed within a desired range of depth.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a row unit 110 for use with anagricultural planter showing additional aspects of the invention. Therow unit 110 is connected to the toolbar 111 via the fore bar linkage113 having upper bars 114 and lower bars 115. Extending from the toolbar111 is a leader wheel 120. The leader wheel 120 can include more thanone wheel, and can include one or more load cells positioned there at.The load cells can obtain information related to the compaction andother soil conditions of the ground. The information obtained by theload cells 121 can then be sent to the down force actuator 119, whichmay be a linear actuator positioned between the upper and lower bars113, 115 of the linkage 114 to adjust the down force pressured providedto the row unit 110.

For example, as the row unit 110 moves across a field, the opener wheel116 will open a trench, the gauge wheel 117 will aid in maintain saidtrench depth, and a closing wheel 118 will close said trench. A seedwill be positioned or deposited in the trench prior to closing of thetrench. However, the soil conditions may change from one location toanother, and/or an obstruction may appear in front of one or more rowunits. The leader wheel 120 of the system shown fit in FIG. 14 candetermine a change or an obstruction prior to the location of aparticular opener wheel 160. Said leader wheel can obtain theinformation via a load cell positioned thereon, and can send saidinformation to the down force actuator 119 to adjust the down forcepressure accordingly. For example, the down force pressure may beincreased, decreased, or the row unit may be needed to be allowed tofloat, such as when an obstruction may appear.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing components of the system of therow unit shown in FIG. 14. As shown in the schematic of FIG. 15, amaster control unit 123 is included. Connected to the master controlunit 123 are the down force control unit 124, load cell 121 and actuator119 of a particular row unit. Also connected to the master control unit123 is each additional row unit, which is shown by the box 125. Thesystem 122 further includes a display and/or user interface 126, whichis connected to the master control unit 123.

As shown in the system 122, the load cell 121 is connected to the downforce control unit 124. Information is thus directed from the load cell121 to the down force control unit 124, wherein the information isprocessed such that information can be sent to the actuator 119 toadjust the amount of down force provided or to provide for a fluidnessof the actuator such that float is allowed of the components of thesystem. All instructions can then be sent to the master control unit123, which can send the information to the display 126. Thus, anoperator or other individual can view the information, which can includeindividual row unit down force values, changes therein, and any otherissues related to the row units in order to view the amount of downforce at each of the row units, and, also if there is any trouble thereat. And, in a closed system, the operator can also set the amount ofdown force desired, and can view the down force of the row units toensure that each of the row units are maintaining said down forcevalues. In addition, when the system is in an open loop system, theoperator can simply view to make sure that the amount of down forcepressure provided by each of the row units is being updated as theconditions of the field change. This information can also be stored forlater use, such as to map a field such that historically dry or wetareas can be mapped so that a future system can have a greater heads upin determining the amount of down force provided for said areas of afield.

While each of the row units heretofore shown and described have beenconnected to a toolbar in different manners, each has also included theuse of traditional opener wheels for creating a trench or furrow forplanting.

FIGS. 16-24 show an additional aspect of the invention, which can beutilized with or without the down force pressure providing mechanismsheretofore shown and described, and which replaces the traditionalopener wheels of a row unit. FIGS. 16-24 disclose a rotating bit, whichcan be used in place of an opening wheel of a row unit. The rotating bitincludes a shaft 131 connected to an opener mechanism 132, which isrotatably connected to a housing 135. The shaft and opener 132 maycomprise a single, unitary element. Such element is rotated at a highspeed in order to cause the shaft and rotating opening 132 at a veryhigh rotational velocity. At the same time, the housing 135 can bemaintained in a non-rotational, rigid manner with respect to thedirection of travel of the row unit. As shown best in FIGS. 17 and 22,the opener 132 of the rotating bit 130 is generally conical shaped, andincludes a first cutting face 133 and a second cutting face 134, whichare formed generally 180° from one another, and in opposite orientation.Thus, as the bit rotates in the direction shown by the arrow 140 in thefigures, the first and second faces 133, 134 will come in contact withthe soil as the implement moves across a field. The shape of the faces,including a sharp cutting edge, will allow the opening 132 to cutthrough the field to create a trench therein. Therefore, it should beappreciated that the height of the opener member 132 can be selected toprovide a desired depth of a trench created by the rotating bit 130. Theshape and configuration of the rotating bit 130, which can be variedaccording to seed type being planted, field conditions, and otherfactors, will allow the planter to create a trench in a wide variety offield conditions, including soggy, muddy conditions and up to and notincluding compacted and hard field conditions.

The housing 135, which is shown alone in FIG. 20, includes a rear bitfender-guard 136 and an above bit fender-guard 137. The rear guard 136is positioned generally behind the rotating opener 132 of the bit 130.The above guard 137 is positioned generally between the upper portion ofthe opener 132 and the shaft 131 and includes a mechanism for allowingthe shaft and opening 131, 132 to rotate relative to the housing 135.The guards 136, 137 also provide faces for protecting seed and othercomponents of a row unit utilizing said rotating bit 130 from any lineportions of the field which may be created by the high speed rotation ofthe opener 132. The opening 132 can comprise a carbide, nitride toolsteel, diamond, or other relative hard materials. The rear guard 136aids in cleaning the opener bit 132. The above guard 137 controlsdisplaced soil created by said opener bit 132.

Other components of the rotating bit assembly 130 include a trench orfurrow smoother 138 and a lower seed tube 139. The trench smoother 138prevents the furrow created by the opener bit 132 from collapsing. Thus,it aids in pushing soil displaced by the opener outwardly to createwalls for the trench. Said trench can then be closed by traditionalclosing wheels after a seed is deposited in said trench.

The lower seed tube 139 can be connected to or configured to be part ofa lower end of a seed tube extending from a seed meter, as is known withtraditional row units. Thus, seed that is displaced by the seed metercan be passed through a seed tube and into the lower seed tube 139 ofthe rotating bit assembly 130 to place the seed or deposit the seed inthe formed trench created by the trench rotating bit 130.

The present invention has heretofore been shown and described. Otheraspects obvious to those skilled in the art are to be considered part ofthe invention. For example, while the figures has shown generally asingle row unit, it is to be appreciated that similar or different rowunits can be spaced and used along a toolbar of an agriculturalimplement. In addition, the rotating bit can be used in place of or inaddition to the opening wheels of a road unit to create a trench fordepositing a seed at a desired depth within a field, regardless of thefield conditions.

Various aspects, not mentioned, but which are to be considered part ofthe invention, may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.13/458,012, 13/457,815, and 13/457,577, which are all herebyincorporated in their entirety. Furthermore, it should be appreciatedthat the figures shown here and described are for exemplary purposesonly, and are not to be considered the entirety of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural implement, comprising: a toolbar;and a row unit comprising a frame and a strut, the strut connected tothe toolbar and several fluid components, the fluid componentscomprising at least a furrow opener; substantially rigid componentsconnected to the toolbar, the rigid components comprising at least aseed meter for planting seed, a seed tube for passing seed from the seedmeter, and a closing wheel; the strut having a housing generally fixedin position and connected to the seed meter, and a rod movable relativeto the housing, the rod connected to the furrow opener; wherein thestrut provides a down force for the fluid components.
 2. Theagricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the fluid components furthercomprise a trash wheel and gauge wheels connected to the movable rod ofthe strut.
 3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the strutfurther comprises a compressible gas opposite the rod, wherein the rodwill move in response to an obstruction, but the compressible gas willrevert the rod to its previous position.
 4. The agricultural implementof claim 1, further comprising a ground sensor positioned on the toolbarto determine a ground characteristic, said ground sensor configured toprovide monitoring of the ground in front of the row unit.
 5. Theagricultural implement of claim 4, wherein the ground sensor ispositioned on a front side of the toolbar.
 6. The agricultural implementof claim 4, wherein the ground sensor is a vision sensor positioned toread an area of ground in front of the row unit to provide informationto prepare the down force provided.
 7. The agricultural implement ofclaim 4, wherein the ground sensor communicates to the strut to adjustthe amount of force to provide to the row unit to create a furrow of adepth.
 8. The agricultural implement of claim 4, wherein the groundsensor comprises one or more of: a. a soil characteristic sensor; b. avisual sensor; c. a temperature sensor; or d. a distance determiningsensor.
 9. A down force system for use with a row unit of anagricultural implement, comprising: a strut having a housing generallyfixed in position and connected to a seed meter for planting seed; a rodmovable relative to the housing, the rod connected to at least a furrowopener of a row unit; wherein the strut provides a down force for thefurrow opener; and a substantially vertical slide member to controlmovement of the furrow opener in a substantially vertical direction. 10.The down force system of claim 9, further comprising: at least onesensor for sensing at least one soil characteristic and operativelyconnected to the strut; wherein the at least one sensor monitors aportion of the ground adjacent the row unit to determine the amount ofdown force needed to create a furrow based upon the at least one soilcharacteristic; and an intelligent control connected to the at least onesensor and the strut to determine the amount of down force based uponthe at least one soil characteristic.
 11. The down force system of claim10, wherein the at least one soil characteristic comprises: a. groundhardness; b. moisture content; c. an obstruction; d. soil temperature;or e. distance between the at least one sensor and the ground.
 12. Thedown force system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor comprisesone or more of: a. a soil characteristic sensor; b. a visual sensor; c.a temperature sensor; or d. a distance determining sensor.
 13. The downforce system of claim 9, further comprising an electric linear actuatoroperatively connected to a linkage of the row unit and a compressed gasoperatively connected to the electric linear actuator to dampen the loadacted on the actuator.
 14. The down force system of claim 9, wherein thestrut is actuated by air, hydraulic fluid, mechanical actuation,compressible fluid, or some combination thereof.
 15. A method ofproviding a down force to a row unit, the method comprising: connectinga row unit to a toolbar by a strut, the strut having a housing generallyfixed in position and connected to a seed meter for planting seed;connecting a rod to at least a furrow opener of the row unit, the rodmovable relative to the housing; wherein the strut provides a down forcefor the furrow opener; acquiring information, via a foresight sensor,related to a field condition; providing the down force for the furrowopener with the strut while the furrow opener opens a furrow, based uponsaid acquired information; and subsequently: passing seed with a seedtube from the seed meter to the furrow; and closing the furrow with aclosing wheel once the seed is positioned in the furrow; wherein thestrut does not provide down force seed meter, the seed tube, or theclosing wheel.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting,an obstruction and temporarily disabling the strut in anticipation ofinteracting with the obstruction.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinsaid information is stored as data for a future use.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the data is used to preset the strut to provide downforce based upon the data.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the downforce is provided in real time as the information is acquired via thesensor.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the acquired information isused to create a field map showing the field conditions to provideinformation for a future use.